Child s flying top



UNITED STABES PAENT OFFICE.

HENRY BENTON, OF GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT.

CHILDS FLYING TOP.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 32,272, dated May 14, 1861.

Io all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BENTON, of Guilford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Top `for Childrens Amusement, which I term a Flying Top; and I4 do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference beinghad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l, is a plan or top view of my invention. 2, a perspective view of the same.

Similar' letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures. p

This invention consists in providing a spindle with a series of spiral ianches in such a manner that by rotating the spindle by means of a top cord, the flanches will cause the spindle to rise or ascend a certain distance before it comes in contact with the ground or fic-or, thereby combining a rotary and an elevating movement which greatly adds to the amusement of spinning tops.

To enable those skilled inthe art to fully understand and construct my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A, represents a spindle which may be of any suitable dimensions and havingattached to it near its upper end, by spiral fianches B, and central hub a., a ring or band C. The spiral flanches and the ring orband may all be struck up or swaged from sheet metal. The Hanches B, radiate from the hub a, and gradually increase in width from their inner to their outer ends, and may be described as being sections of the thread of a screw. These spiral ianches however may be arranged in a different way from that shown and described.

On the lower part of the spindle A, there uis wound a cord I), the cord being wound `in a direction from the lower end of the spindle upward toward the spindle lianches, and on the spindle A, over the cord D, a handleE, is placed, said handle having a hole b, in it to allow the end of the cord to pass through, see Fig. 2. y

The handle E, supports the top, the handle being held by the left handand the cord D, drawn by. the right hand. The drawing of the cord rotates the spindle, and the spiral flanches B, will cause the top to ascend to a greater or less elevation according to the velocity of its rotation and as this velocity decreases the top will gradually descend and spin on the Hoor or ground until the power or force expended upon itis exhausted. The elevating movement adds greatly to the amusement and will prove a very attractive fea-ture to children. IVith a moderate expenditure of power the top may be made to ascend to the ceiling of an ordinary dwelling-house room, the top gradually descending in a spiral or inclined line to the floor.

I do not confine myself to any particular construction or arrangement of the spiral flanches for they may be applied in different ways to effect the desired result. The ring or band C, is desirable as it serves as a` balance wheel, but it might be dispensed with.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is,

The employment or use, in combination with a spinning top, of spiral fianches B, so applied as to give the top a rising and falling movement simultaneously with its rotating one, substantially as set forth.

HENRY BENTON.`

Vitnesses:

EDWIN A. LEETE EDWARD It. LANDON. 

